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Code de conduite

Why should a tech event have a code of conduct?

Article originally published in January 2018

Does getting on a boat without a life jacket sound like fun? Participating in a major event without a code of conduct is the same thing.

Right now, there are several events in Quebec with codes of conduct, such as WAQ, HackFest, StartupFest, Nsec, Lesbians Who Tech, DEF CON and even SXSW.

And there are many others that don’t, such as the Consumer Electronic Show (CES), the well-attended event held from January 9 to 12 in Las Vegas. According to the CES website, it’s the “global gathering for all those who thrive in the consumer technology space”. It’s a must-attend tech event with no code of conduct: shocking in 2018!

Nor were there any women speaking during the keynote sessions at CES. It’s always well-known people who speak during these activities that intersperse a big event. Yet CES organizers had said they wanted a more inclusive 2018 edition, even if the audience is largely male. In fact, women are only present to “showcase products”, so to speak. It’s really surprising that an event of this magnitude doesn’t have a code of conduct, even though this practice is becoming increasingly standard in the industry. Karen Chupka, who oversaw this year’s CES, told Reuter in an interview that it wasn’t “necessary” to have a code of conduct “because we assume everyone will know how to behave as well as they do in the office.”

We have a long way to go! Yes, it’s important to have a code of conduct!

Some people refuse to go to events without a code of conduct because they don’t feel safe discussing controversial topics. They want to be sure that there’s a plan in place in case something goes wrong, and that decisions won’t be made on the spur of the moment, in the middle of a crisis.

Codes of conduct are about recognizing our own limits. It’s about realizing that not everyone is like us, and that our perception of the world is limited. A code of conduct is really valuable, because it helps to defend our shared values and show that we care about other humans in a given space. By creating a code of conduct, you give a clear signal to anyone who has been hurt or harassed, online or offline, that your space is safe for them and that you have taken their needs and existence into account.

For my part, I want to know that the organizers are aware that things can get out of hand, and that they won’t tolerate it. Not having a code of conduct for a major event, while its influence is great, is tantamount to sending a signal to the industry that inclusion and diversity are not important in practice.

If you find it regrettable that there aren’t enough women and visible minorities at your events, know that by displaying a code of conduct, you increase your chances of attracting them. Because these people are the most likely to be victims of harassment.

Author Dan Sinker compares the existence of a code of conduct to the presence of a firefighter at an event. You don’t do it because you expect a fire. You do it because you might have a fire. So it would be irresponsible not to have a fire safety plan. In the same way, posting a code of conduct doesn’t imply that your community is harassed or made up of people with bad intentions. It’s a way of acknowledging that these problems exist, and that worst-case scenarios can happen. Also, as an organizer, you need to anticipate worst-case scenarios.

After being rocked by several scandals in 2017 – Uber, Google’s sexist memo, Silicon Valley investor misconduct and more – the tech industry owes it to itself to make visible efforts to take a stand against these deplorable behaviors.

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